COM 0212.336 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUn_,~ FOR AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE ANO TECHNOLOGY--i erowth and maturation inh#bition of fresh foods and for Some varieties of fruit are very sensitive to radiation and disinfestation of arthropod pests in food. [n addition. the skin of the fruit is damased. They therefore may be Japan and other countries that ban the use of chemical poorly suited for irradiation. whereas other varieties of sprout inhibitors, irradia[e potatoes and onions to pre- the same frail respond well. And. too. commodities tend vent sprouting. The shelf life of specialn~, very perish- to be harvested over very short periods. a practice cre- able swee[ varie[ies of onions can be extended to 3 atins huge volumes requiring rapid trea[men[. Very low months. Irradiation of toma[oes not only extends their doses of ionizine radiation can preven[ the emergence shelf life bu[ also allows them to be harvested when fully of adult insects and thereby mee[ treatment demands. ripe. Irradiated mushrooms have a 3-w'eek shelf life Because irradiation leaves no residues. products must without brownine or cap separation. Irradiation ofstraw- be protected from reinfesta[ion after treatment and dur- berries extends their refrigerated shelf life to 3 weeks ino transport. without decay or shrinkage. Irradiated fruit and veleta- Use of irradiation as a quarantine control measure tiles now are available in some U.S. stores. requires approval by both state agencies and the USDA- So the[ insect pests such as the fruit fly are elim- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Ser<ice (APHIS i. mated. fruit from Hawaii and Puetto Rico and from other [f the product is to be exported. the importing country countries must be fumigated or treated by hot water dips coal[ approve [he quarantine process. Because the ap- before being imported into the continental United States. propria[e radiation doses will cause sexual sterility of Even on the mainland. many fruits. grains, and veleta- insect pests. but not necessarily kill them outright. reg- - bles must be fumigated before being transported. stored. ulatory agencies are considering the type of regulations or processed. The primary fumigant used for fruit is needed to achieve quarantine security. Currently, the methyl bromide, which may be banned in ZOOI. Irradi- only applicable U.S. quarantine regulation is for the ir- ationcan replace fumigation for some of these commod- radiation of fresh papaya fruit in Hawaii to prevent fruit hies. Most arthropod pests, e.g., frail flies. codling fly importation to the mainland (Table I). moths. mango and avocado seed weevils. scale insects. Several other fruits that are available in Hawaii. mealy bugs. and mites can be sterilized or killed by very but not on the mainland, have been imported and irta- low doses of radiation. Irradiation is a promising alter- dialed for customer acceptance trials. with excellent native [o methyl bromide as a quarantine trea[men[ for results. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS r. the codling moth on apples. APHIS, and [he food industry are participating in these Just as with other disinfestation techniques. how- trials. and the federal agencies actively are considering ever. the food irradiation process must be optimized for regulations for implementation of radiation disinfesta- the particular variety of fruit and its stage of maturity. [ion. This technology, which for some commodities may Tablet. U.S.approvals (kilograys)torirradlated foods ProduM Agency Date Dose (kGy) Purpose Wheat. wheat Nour FDA 1963 0.2-0.5 Insect disinfestation White potatoes FDA 1964 0.05-0.15 Sprout inhibition Spice and vegetable seasonings FDA 7983 max. 10 Microbialdecontamination pork FDA 1966 0.3-1.0 Trichinainactivation Fruits and vegetables FDA 7986 max.1.0 Insect andlorgrowth and maturation delay Papayafruit USDA 7987 min. 0.150 Insectdisinfestation Herbs, spice, and dry FDA 1966 max. 30 Insectdisinfestationend/or vegetable seasonings microbialdecontamination Dehydrated enrymea FDA 7986 max. 10 Microbialdecontamina6on Animal and pet food FDA 1986 max. 25 Microbialdecontaminatlon Poultry FDA 1990 max. 3.0 Microbiatdecontamination USDA 1992 1.5-3.0 Microbialdecontamination Red meat, nonfrozen FDA Pending max. 4.5 Microbial decontamination Red meat, frozen FDA Pending max. 7.0 Microbialdecontamination